American Idol Top 5: Adam Lambert

Strengths: Sheer vocal ability, stage presence, visual appeal

Weaknesses: Overly theatrical (can lead to a lack of emotional connection to the song if appearing too faked)

Objective: Stay on top through the finale

Biggest Threat: Danny Gokey

Battle Plan: Adam is in the catbird seat right now and has seemed a foregone conclusion to be the winner, or at least in the finale, since the semifinals, but there is one chink in his armor: His theater background, while serving him well with respect to use of the stage, acting out the song, and comfort in the performing element, can sometimes come across as too stagey in the slower numbers, leaving some viewers feeling a lack of real emotional connection with the song. He did well with "I Can't Have You" on the emotion-meter, but a lot of his slower stuff is just stagecraft: moody lighting and soaring vocals do not necessarily breed emotion.

Although Adam is having a lot of success alternating ballads with rockers and next time is "rocker week", he should consider singing a simple song in a sweet way, with no special-effects lighting or tortured wailing. Think of Jason Castro's sweet rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" last year and you've got the picture exactly. Even though the broody-sexy thing has been working well for him, showing his softer side one week, maybe sitting on a stool in a white suit instead of stalking about in leathers, might earn him his highest praises yet-for restraint. After which he should immediately go back to the stalking and the wailing, because, hey, it ain't broke.